Healing Well

Looking good there Perry 

Can You See It?

That little tuft of white hair on Sammi's side? It's been there a couple of years now. People, including Steve and Sarah, have tried to pull it out .. I always say, "no, leave it be." It's longer than her normal coat, maybe double the length, and it feels like there's a little mole at the base of it. Very odd really, but I do feel it's best left alone!

I'm Seething!

I guess I don't have to say anymore!!!!

Cwm Dulyn For The Kids

A lovely walk in Cwm Dulyn with these three,

everywhere was so colourful still. 

I can see all three - can you? 

The First Two Walks

Great To Get Out

Me and Mr Hairy had words about his "Wait." I don't ask much, but one pic is sometimes necessary. He got up and when I went to put him back he messed about then play bowed in front of me, hard as it was I made sure not to laugh or smile and insisted on that "Wait!"

Loki did the whole walk today - woohoo. Ok I know his limitations and we didn't push it, but we did it!

There has been a lot of sexual harassment today. Ross even trying to mount Siska. She's still not bleeding up to now but I'm checking her daily as obviously she's giving off a lot of interesting smells.

Chatting About The Critiques And The Youngsters

Last night we spent a lot of time discussing the National critiques for Callan, Siska and Orin. There is no doubt Callan has better ear set than Siska, but what I didn't take in was that he didn't say wide set, he said wide and tall ears ... Hmm, maybe they are wide at the base, but not too tall in my opinion, their heads always grow into their ears. Maybe he meant wide set, maybe he didn't. As I said I'm really not complaining, it is interesting to see how people/judges interpret things differently. As I said at the time I did Siska no favours by taking her in myself, had she been looking for me she may have used her ears to advantage. But I do have to agree that like her mothers ears they are slightly wide set!  

He was the first judge to ever notice Orin's eyes, and as I've always said, I agree 100%. What I didn't understand was that he only seem to have made the remark about Orin, trust me (and ask me to PM you a photo if you like) he was really not the only one! Some even lighter eyes seemed to have not even been noticed, or described as brown, maybe the sun moved? No, I'm serious, Orin's eyes look very different in different lights. Anyway, no dog is perfect and even after observing them he felt O deserved the top spot in his class. He really is such a handsome dog - he honestly takes my breath away sometimes. I think the first time I really "Saw him" as a show dog with so much potential was actually at his first show, Cheshire. I looked into the ring and saw him stood there with Ian and thought, "wow that is my dog!" When he started to move, I honestly got goosebumps. I had a similar experience seeing him at EOE with Sarah, but sadly due to the judges wishes to move them slowly I didn't quite get the same buzz!

The judge at the National also commented that Orin was a touch long in the loin ... is he? Maybe?(In dog conformation terminology the area between the dog’s last (floating) rib and the pelvis, is called the loin) He certainly is not too short which would be a concern to me. OK, the loin shouldn't be too long but should be broad, strong and well muscled.  I guess the interpretation of the ideal length of loin, like all of the standard really varies from individual to individual. The over all length of the breed should be greater than the height at the wither at a ratio of 10 to 9 or 10 to 8.5. 

Orin sure has had a fantastic year. Only once unplaced, and that was at a show where there was no age class for him. I still came away happy that he was shortlisted to the last 6 from an entry of 14 in a PGD class. I guess the highlight had to be SWGSD, with the other exhibits moved to one side he worked bloody hard to win that class against Derrick. It's often the same dogs in a class with him, Derrick, Ocean Cruz, Thor, Fabian are yet to beat him, but I'm sure they will. Zeus (yes another) has beaten him once, as has Fitz. In mixed classes he has been beaten by a bitch twice, on both occasions he was the highest placed male so would have won had the classes if they had been split. But of course to keep us ground, as if very necessary, at Blackpool he was last! I had been told before going that he may not be what the judge was looking for, but I'm glad I went as Siska won MPB and Best Puppy Bitch. 

I guess now we can see who Orin is, the change in a year has been dramatic, though he was always eye catching, with maturity he has become impressive and glamorous. Siska is stating to mature but she is still a puppy and looks very much the teenager that she is. I can only be hopeful that she will come back together over the next year. She currently looks tall, long and skinny. I must admit I never expected her to be this tall, though she is still not over height, I guess when her body fills she should balance out nicely. I need to get meds for Loki next week, just out of interest I may take her to the vets and weigh her. 

I hope that those of you who have known me a long time will be pleased at my positivity, especially with Orin. It's been pointed out to me that I tend to always see and focus on the negative ... Steve says my glass is always half empty! Well here's me chuffed to bits, passing by the negative and celebrating the positive. 

The top photo is from a couple of days ago, the second was Orin and Ian debut in the ring together at Cheshire, the third is from SWGSD, and the fourth is Siska after winning at Blackpool. Wow she's changed well they've both changed/matured  ... but she sure has got more length of leg now! Ok I've decided to add the last photo just to show the huge difference in just 3 months!

Loki And His Mates

Isn't it amazing to see Loki out with the gang again. I did the same as yesterday, giving the others a bit of time to get rid of excess energy before bringing him into the equation. A lot is the same between them, but there are changes. In his excitement, Loki grabbed Ziva and Sammi, there was no response other than play from the girls, but when he did it to Ross there seemed to be an instant change in the dynamics. Ross spat out his dummy (literary) and his tail and hackles raised, Loki responded in the same manner and both males stood growling face to face. One "oi" shout from me and it immediately calmed down, but Ross is no longer happy to be the underdog! He has youth and obviously fitness on his side, though Loki is good, very good, one shove from another dog and he'd be over. Luckily Ross is not confrontational, and as if often the case with males they were happy to forgive and forget! 

National Critiques

 I have to say detailed and on the money, agree with everything really, positive and negative! 

1 Stanley’s Blanik Kyriacos. 18 months old, big boy with masculine head of good length, light brown eyes detract, ears of medium size well placed and scissor bite, lovely clean neck flowing onto firm top line just a touch long on the loin, chest deep and well ribbed, good angulation to the rear quarters giving power to his stride. 

1 Stanley’s Blanik Liszka. 8 months old, pretty and very feminine with balanced outline, good length of head with black muzzle, tall ears a touch wide, dark eyes of almond shape with a lively expression, scissor bite, good reach of neck into developing body, nicely angled front and rear quarters, ground covering mover.. 

Blanik Lancelot - 8 months old, lots to like and of excellent temperament, strong headed for his age with dark medium sized eye and scissor bite, high set erect ears, front legs parallel with good bone, nice coat condition, lovely body shape in profile stood and on the move, Best Dog Puppy.

Seasons, Hips and Elbows

 It looks like I was right and Siska's season is brewing, interest in her has increased and she's had a dirty brown discharge. I've known that go on for about a week and then they come in, or sometimes it clears for a few days and they come in. Whatever, some changes are a foot and her behaviour this last week will be hormonal. I'm dreading it to be honest .. maybe I should get all the males apart from Orin neutered! Haha  The timing is difficult for using the kennels, the weather just won't be suitable, but the timing is ideal for shows as we have nothing now until Manchester in January. I have entered an open show on 19th of Dec - but it's indoors - we'll see how covid is behaving then! 

Whilst I discussed the elbows of the bicoloured bitch with a friend last night she asked if I was getting Zeus' health tests done. Hmmm, the problem is, even having paid £200 on the vet bill this month the balance is still greater than £300. My vets are great letting me pay it off a bit at a time, but I don't want to take advantage either. I need more meds for Loki and that is a must, and I'll need to get Siska's tests done in February, so it looks like Zeus' health tests will have to go on the back burner. As I said to her if anyone wants the bloodlines then Orin is the better dog anyway. I understand some people want long coats, but I would imagine from the coat that O carries that he does carry the L/C gene anyway. She went on to say that her bitch has elbows of 1/1 - well you know mated to 0/0 that is acceptable to me. 0/2 would not be, but I would consider 1/1 without doubt. 

Elbows are scored very differently to hips. Hips to start off with have a much wider range for scoring 0/0 is clear - 53/53 is a total disaster. Also Orin's hips are 2+2 = 4, Kaiah's are 4+7 = 11 ... and so on. But elbows are only scored from 0 -3 and the score is based on the maximum score on one elbow, so 3+1 = 3, 2+2 = 2 .... this bitch having an elbow score of 1+1 still only comes to 1, as would a bitch who's scored 0+1. I consider myself to be an ethical breeder, but we must always remember there is more to dogs than hips and elbows - of course they must be a huge consideration but there should always be room to be a little flexible - don't throw the baby out with the bath water - so to speak!

Three Walks

Yes Loki is out with the gang. Ok he only did half the walk but he loved it

We've not been here for ages 

12 Months On

The top photo of Orin came up in my memories today. WOW - what a difference a year makes.

As lovely as he was then - just look at him now! 

This Photo Of Siska

This got missed off the other day, similar to the others I guess but in my opinion the better photo. Her head/neck is more natural, not as raised, and her front is slightly better though still neededs those front legs tucking back slightly. Yeah I like this! I should have really asked Bethan for a headshot, she takes the best headshots!

Anyway photo of her today on the mountain. She's looking so pretty. The boys are sniffing around her a little now, she's none too pleased .. I also thought she was extremely bolshie with her mum today, I worry as Kaiah will only be pushed so far before she looses it! Anyway, hopefully just some hormones flying about. 

A Perfect Walking Day

My kind of day, wall to wall blue sky.

The "Celeb" frame has gone, no cattle, no sheep just the odd walker at a safe distance. 

Let's go Ziva, leave the other two slow coaches to catch up. 

I may have learned a lot about bicolours this last week, but sadly the mating will not be going ahead. The bitch has an elbow score of 3 - 1. Sadly 3 means she has severe elbow dysplasia and as it is likely to be genetic she should not be bred from. Only dogs with a score of 0 or 1 should be chosen for breeding. Sorry O but it is for the best!

Siska is such a witch on the walk with her mum, but with Loki she's just perfect. 

It is nice that he gets company ...

Perry

We are still keeping an eye on the nasty war wound. There has been no further swelling and he's eating and behaving normally. Any changes and we'll have to fight it out with him and get him to the vets. He's such a timid skittish chap that I'd prefer not to take him, unless of course needs must. 

Spot the photobomber in the photo???

Hard Going

Today it was hard work, Sunny Sunday walkers and Ant and Dec searchers. At least there was no quarry traffic. Zeus was on form, hard work and he lunged to the end of the flexi lead. He was completely OTT and Jezi wanted to take charge of the situation. I do feel sorry for him, all he wants to do is run with them.

Knob head was also in fine form and almost took me out again. I stayed upright but my right knee, my good knee took a bashing .. I don't think it's now a good knee. LOL Steve was more concerned about Ross' head ... if Ross looked where he was going instead of looking at Sammi we'd have no bother!

When I came back from my last walk I head Steve calling him, he was running from the yard to the top gate .. how the hell? Steve said he was watching you coming and just leaped over from the yard, no run, just over. Only one has ever done that before - Mikey Mikey! 

I couldn't do the same walk with these as it meant walking through toad stool field. That problem has escalated too, after spitting out the first one Siska ate one on a different day. I put what was left of it in a poo bag ... just in case I needed to take her to the vets! Thankfully, no side effects. Steve and I spent the next morning clearing what was in our fields - never experienced anything like it, none of the others ever seem to notice them. What a girl she is!

Loki and I went through toad stool field, he was just great.

Sorry no Elves, but they are so pretty.

Bicolour

 Well now I know, of course I didn't turn to google or a book, I have a much more reliable and trusted source, I asked Katrina! Bicolour is not a colour I have ever had in my line, and as I said I can't remember ever seeing one at a show. I probably have, but I really couldn't come up with the facts! So a bicolour isn't simply a dark dog, a bicoloured German Shepherd will have black and tan colours, but the black with be dominant. Almost the entire body will be black, with only a few areas such as the legs or chest displaying tan fur. To produce bicolour both parents must have inherited one gene from their parents. So the parents of a bicolour need not be bicolour, but one of their parents on each side had to be to pass on the gene. Simply, if a puppy is bicolour and his parents are not, then at least one grandparent on each side must have been. Going back to our possible scenario, if Orin and this bitch have a litter, all will be dark, but all will be black and tan as Orin does not carry bicolour, but all the puppies will carry the gene and could produce the colour if mated to another who carried the gene.

So from what I understand that is the same as black, but very different to sable. One parent has to be sable to produce sable. Though apparently white can mask sable, but it's going to be pretty obvious if one parent is white! What is important to remember is that 2 black and tan parents can not produce sable, if someone tells you otherwise they are lying to you. I fear yet again the shit is going to hit the fan and someone's reputation will be in tatters. Well more fool them for the fraud in the first place, these things have a habit of coming out don't they!

Loki

The big man had a great time mooching and socialising. 

Another adorable photo of him - making memories to treasure. 

Blanik Liszka And Lancelot

Siska - looking super - just needs her front legs pulling back an inch or two for the perfect photo. 

Of course her head is high, but that seems to be a Siska bad habit in stance! 

Callan out of coat now but growing beautifully. 

Blanik Kyriacos

The photos of this boy in training just get better.

I'm truly overwhelmed by how fantastic he looks.

This is my dog, I bred him and I chose him in the nest from great company. Generations of Blanik bitches behind him as well as our own Conbhairean boys Kaiser and Danko (Kai and Nico) ... I'm over the moon to have a dog like this! 

Thank you so much Bethan and Ian for these photos today.

In The Wars

Poor Perry must have been fighting again. I saw the scab last night, but it looked dry and clean. Perry ate his brekkie and went to bed for the day. This evening there was a huge swelling on his head, as I looked and gently touched it, it popped, yeuk .. pus and blood! We'll have to see now if it re-swells, if it does, he may need antibiotics.

Yesterday's News

There have been 173 views, 74 comments and 135 likes on Loki's video on Facebook. Thank you all for your support, it really means a lot, more than some obviously can understand. The silence from some is predictable, but no longer hurtful as they no longer matter. To be honest I hadn't noticed, but others did! Ah well ... I guess the situation will never get better. 

The video shows a very happy, mobile Loki, it warms up your heart, it must surely make you smile. Of course his walks are short now, we do puppy walks and he still gets tired ... but little and often keeps a big smile on his face, and on mine! Today he's coming to ring craft .. of course he'll only be "helping" us set up but no doubt he'll have a great time. 

Siska seems to have got the idea of waiting to have her photo taken, well I think she understood before but was far too busy to wait. Now she's doing well and of course being rewarded with her mothers treats! 

I've been looking through the pedigree of the bitch that may be coming to Orin. Her father is a bi-colour and her mother is black. There is no chance of her producing black puppies as Orin doesn't carry black. Parents don't need to be black to produce black puppies, but they both need to carry the gene. I have no idea if black and tan is dominant over bi colour or vice versa, or whether there would be both types of colours. Bi Colours are few and far between these days, to be honest I don't know when I last saw one! 

I've started Ross on the Glucosamine and chondroitin. I get it from Healthspan on line at a pretty decent price. I know there is a lot of faith in yumove for dogs, but I'm quite happy to do it the old fashion way! I doubt Ross will be shown again, unless it's something local. He did love his days out, we'll see what next year brings and if these help with his stiffness! He is only stiff after resting following the mad dash on his walks by the way, he's not constantly lame. He's still "Loud and Annoying" as someone once said, but I think trying to help him now before things get worse is a plan worth attempting! 

I see online that a litter has been born from 2 black and tan parents and that there are sable puppies in the litter. Well, someone needs to tell them something is seriously wrong. (Well I think someone has!)  It's simply impossible, one parent must be sable to produce sable. You can't get a Ross in a black and tan litter. It looks like someone has been careless or fraudulent somewhere along the line!

The mountain was mad again yesterday, I had to have Jezi and Zeus on the lead at one time. As I've said I trust Nico, he doesn't need a lead. To add insult to injury, the cattle were there yesterday too. I've never known them here this late in the year ... I think some research into the law is needed.